Manchester United target Morgan Schneiderlin: Rio Ferdinand backs potential signing of midfielder

Rio Ferdinand has hailed the potential arrival of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United but is still unsure whether his former club will manage to complete the summer overhaul with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and Everton right-back Seamus Coleman.

After a first year in charge at Old Trafford, manager Louis van Gaal is ready to spend big during the summer transfer window in order to build a team that can challenge the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title.

And having started the renovation of the squad with the arrival of promising winger Memphis Depay from PSV, the Dutch boss is expected to bolster his backline and midfield.

The Telegraph recently claimed the Premier League giants are expected to seal the signing of Southampton's Schneiderlin in the coming days for around £24m ($38m).

Ferdinand has backed the signing of the France international as the United legend believes he would provide perfect cover for Michael Carrick, after the veteran midfielder missed a number of games last season due to injuries.

"£20-something million, it looks like it's going to be done. He's a player who could add something to United, a bit of steel, can pass the ball and play it through the lines from back to front," Ferdinand said on his official YouTube channel.

"I think he's a good player, a good addition to the squad, especially if someone like [Michael] Carrick, who is so influential for United, gets injured. I think this guy can step in and help buffer that. I think he's a very good, talented player."

Sky Sports recently claimed Van Gaal is also interested in bolstering the right-back position with Everton Seamus Coleman after missing out on Dani Alves and Nathaniel Clyne.

Ferdinand says the Everton star would be a good addition to the squad but is unsure whether Roberto Martinez will let his defender move.

He said: "Coleman would be a good addition. He's up and down [the pitch], has a good delivery and gets the odd goal here and there. He can defend. He's the modern day type full-back and does everything.

"But I just don't know if [United] can get him out of Everton. I don't know what's going on with his contract situation, how long he has left. But if United could get him, he'll definitely add something to their squad."

Meanwhile, the former United centre-back has insisted he does not believe Ramos will move to Old Trafford.

After The Mirror reported Manchester City are considering joining the race for the Spaniard, Ferdinand said he believes Ramos is just trying to get a better deal at Real Madrid.

"Sergio Ramos to Manchester City? He was going to Man United the other day, now he's going to Man City...! The agent's flying, he's doing well. He's putting him with two of the biggest clubs in terms of financial power," he said.

"I still can't see it. I think he'll stay at Madrid, where he'll play alongside Raphael Varane or Pepe next season. Unless they've got another Varane coming through, I can't see them letting him go. It's a lot of money to spend on a guy who's 29 with no resale value but why's he going to go to Manchester City before United? It doesn't make sense to me, I don't understand it."